Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Show Me Your Technique Tuesday - Using Napkins as Paper

Good Morning, welcome to Technique Tuesday Mini Blog Hop with My Creative Time.  You should have arrived here from Veronica's Blog.
 
Today for my technique I made some background paper and flowers with fast food and party napkins I had laying around. (I always have these napkins around from my numerous coffee runs, hehehe!)
 
I came across this idea when I needed to add a shim to the top of my cuttlebug plates to make sure a die cut all the way through some felt.  I put the napkin on top of the plates and cranked them through.  I noticed how the napkin had changed into a nice, smooth paper like consistency.  I tried stamping on it and cutting it with a die and it worked very nicely.  I got so excited because there have been so many beautiful napkins I would LOVE to use as paper.  I was thinking how much I could add to scrapbook layouts with napkins from my kids parties and special occasions!
 
In order to get the napkins smooth the cuttlebug plates must be loaded with some paper inside, then place the napkins on top.  It should be a tight fit or else the napkin will get jammed in the rollers!
 
I made some tags to go with coffee cup cozies I crocheted to give as gifts.  There are lots of free patterns available online.  I used Emma's Flower Petal dies to make the attached flowers.


I stamped this using Emma's Coffee Backgrounds stamp set.  Then cut it out with the Just Tags die.
 
The background is made with a natural colored napkin and the flowers with a white napkin.  I used Distress Ink to color the flower.
 
 I also made a tag and cozie in Halloween colors.  One flower in from a white napkin and the other is from a patterned party napkin.

 
Here are the wrapped up finished products!

List of Supplies:
Fast Food or Party Napkins
Cuttlebug A, B and C Plates
True Black Card Stock and Felt  -  Papertrey Ink
Spun Sugar and Spice Marmalade Distress Inks
Rosebud, Tangelo and Tuxedo Black Ink  -  Memento
Trendy Twine
Celebrate It Ribbon
Recollections Brads
 
I hope you liked my "mini" tutorial.  Your next stop is Cassandra's Blog.  Enjoy your day!
Love and Hugs,
Cathryn :)
 
 


27 comments:

Maureen Reiss said...

This is a great idea!! Love the cozy!

Brenda said...

Wow who knew you could use napkins?!! LOL I love this idea and love your coffee cozies!

CherylB said...

Wow, never would have though it! Do you glue it to some stiffer cardstock? Seems like it would be so flimsy. Very beautiful!

Crafting Katie said...

Stamping on napkins? Who would have thunk it? These are adorable, Cathryn! I love how you layered the patterns, and your cozies are so sweet!

snappy scrappy said...

Great ideas!! Lee-Ann :)

Christine's Creative Cards said...

Great job, love the coozies too. Your tags are beautiful. TFS --C

jessica said...

These are gorgeous Cathryn!! Another inspirational project :)
TFS!!

Craft Me This said...

Nothing is safe around a crafter. Hehe. Love it.

Felicia - Scrapper in the Making said...

Wow what a Great tip. I often keep napkins from certain parties that I've attended because they were so pretty. Now I know how to make use of them. TFS, Smooches...

Cindy Lovell said...

Cathryn your tags are perfect! Love your idea of using napkins!! :)
HUGS,
Cindy

TheTulipCollector said...

Ooooh flowers out of napkins. Now that is something I need to try!

Kate said...

This is Beautiful. love this idea.

quilt4fun2 said...

The cozies and flowers are so cute! I like the napkin idea you discovered. Are they many layers of the napkin and they fuse together sort of?? I will have to experiment!
quilt 4 fun 2 at hot mail dot com

Shar said...

These are SO ADORABLE!!!! Great projects, Cathryn!

Kim H said...

Cathryn ~ shut the front door! OMG ~ napkins! I would NEVER is a zillion years would have thought of this but I must try this now! AWESOME idea and so CLEVER!! The best is you can stamp on them too! Eek!! Well those cozie coffee covers ~ I LOVE!! I can't believe you did those too! Is there anything you can't do?? AWESOME idea!!!

tracym110 said...

Very cool!! I never would have thought to do this!! I have so many napkins left over from themed Birthday parties now I can scrapbook with them! Great cozies too!! Thanks
Tracy

Glora said...

Is there any craft you can't do? These crocheted cozies are SUPER cute. And I love the napkin idea. I have lots of cute Disney ones from Disney trips I'd love to actually use on layouts and stuff. I will have to try it. Hugs- Glora

Lisa said...

Very cute crocheted cozies. WOW, never would have thought about using napkins. Your tags are adorable.

Nadia (WithGlitteringEyes.blogspot.com) said...

love the cozies and the tags!

Danielle Lee said...

Great technique. Thanks so much for sharing. We have some napkins we purchased for a "failed" decoupage project and I didn't know what to do with them. Until now :0)

jen said...

Awesome job!
Hugs,Jen

Cindy Beland said...

Great project idea Cathryn!They are sooo ADORABLE,Have a great week my friend!!!!:)

Cassandra said...

What a GREAT idea!! I always save napkins and such from different events. Can't wait to try this!!! :)THANKS for the idea!!!

Kathy Salido said...

Thanks for sharing, the tags look great!!

JoAnn said...

I have wondered several times how to use a napkin. Thank You so much for sharing this!!!!! The tags were great! Who would know it was napkins if you didn't tell?
Thanks, JoAnn

Jeanne said...

Wow! These are beautiful and such a fabulous idea! :)

liz at liz's paper loft said...

way too cool! love the texture the napkins give! the tags are adorable!